Shoplifters arrested

Brookings Police officers arrest one of three shoplifting suspects Tuesday afternoon on Highway 101 in Harbor. The Pilot/Scott Graves

A trio of Crescent City residents are facing theft and drug charges after stealing more than $1,000 worth of goods from the Brookings Fred Meyer and leading police officers on short chase on Highway 101 that ended in Harbor.

A security worker at the department store tried to stop two of the suspects – Edward Hughes, 29, and Zachariah Dungan, 30 – as they pushed a grocery cart full of merchandise through the front door.

The pair jumped into a waiting vehicle driven by Candice Swain, 24, and headed south on Railroad Street, said Brookings Police Lt. Terry Murray.

A Brookings Police patrol officer caught up with the suspects’ vehicle as it sped south on Highway 101 near Zimmerman Lane in Harbor. The driver pulled over in a parking lot at the top Gerlach Lane. Dungan and Swain ducked down inside the car while Hughes left the vehicle and ran down the lane toward Sea View Senior Living Community. Police Detectives Tyler McCourt and Travis Wright left their cars and pursued Hughes on foot, capturing him without incident a few minutes later. The other two suspects were removed from the car and taken into custody.

In searching the suspects, officers found a small amount of methamphetamine, Murray said.

All three suspects were booked into the county jail on charges of first degree theft, conspiracy of theft and possession of methamphetamine.

Huges was also charged with escape and attempting to elude police officers.

The suspects were known to police and an investigation is continuing, Murray said.